Disability pension

Any member with a disability recognised by the Organization is entitled to a disability pension. It can be a total disability (greater than 50%) or a partial disability (less than or equal to 50%).

Basis for calculation

Benefits are based on the higher of the following amounts at the end of your contract:

  • If you joined the Fund on or before 31 December 2011:
    • your final reference salary corresponding to the full-time basis
    • 10/7 of the reference salary corresponding to 99.35% of the midpoint of grade 1 of the CERN salary scale
  • If you joined the Fund on or after 1 January 2012:
    • the average of your last 36 months' reference salaries
    • 10/7 of the reference salary corresponding to 99.35% of the midpoint of grade 1 of the CERN salary scale

Benefits are reduced pro rata for partial contributions to the Fund (e.g. contributions to other schemes, partial contributions due to part-time work, periods of unpaid special leave, etc.).

Amount

The amount of the total disability pension is equal to the retirement pension you would have received at the applicable retirement age, on the basis for calculation of benefits.

The partial disability pension is equal to the total disability pension multiplied by the degree of disability.

If the disability results from an occupational accident/illness or from saving another person, the disability pension is calculated on the basis of the applicable maximum period of membership.

Duration

The total disability pension ceases on:

  • the last day of the month of the beneficiary’s death
  • the day on which the Organization deems that the disability has disappeared or reduced to less than 50%;
  • the day on which the beneficiary resumes membership

On the first day of the month following the date on which the member reaches the applicable retirement age, the total disability pension is replaced by a retirement pension of the same amount.

The partial disability pension ceases on:

  • the last day of the month of the beneficiary’s death,
  • the day on which the Organization deems that the partial disability has disappeared or has become total

The partial disability pension is replaced with a retirement pension on the first day of the month in which the member retires, calculated in accordance with the Basis for Calculation.

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